Conflict of Interest Policy

Policy Summary

Members of the Notre Dame community are committed to identifying and avoiding situations and activities that constitute a Conflict of Interest in the execution of their duties for the University. Furthermore, activities, situations, and relationships that might create the perception of or potential for a Conflict of Interest must be identified and managed appropriately. The University believes that clear guidelines and principles for reporting and managing actual, potential, and perceived Conflicts of Interest will assist our faculty, staff, and students in maintaining the highest level of integrity in their endeavors.

An actual Conflict of Interest arises in a situation where financial or other personal considerations compromise an individual’s objectivity, professional judgment, professional integrity, and/or ability to perform his or her responsibilities to the University. In addition to situations that clearly give rise to an actual Conflict of Interest, individuals are cautioned also to consider gray areas that might create the perception of or the potential for a Conflict of Interest. Perceived or potential Conflicts of Interest can be said to exist in situations where an individual member of the University community, a member of the individual’s family, or a close personal relation has financial interests, personal relationships, or professional associations with an individual, individuals, or outside organization, such that his or her activities within the University could appear to be biased against the University by that interest or relationship.